Our Priorities

Primary school enrollment in China is near universal. By secondary school, enrollment rates drop, commonly for reasons of migration,  poverty or the low quality of the educational options available.
 

These out-of-school teenagers face reduced life prospects unless they have access to non-formal education opportunities. Some may have to support their families. They have little experience or competency in job hunting. They are often vulnerable to drug abuse, violence, sexual exploitation and HIV or AIDS.
 

Without life skills and vocational training, these out-of-school adolescents face stark challenges. They need help to become qualified for work that pays a living wage, as well as to find such opportunities.
 

Also, for adolescents who remain in secondary and vocational schools, there is little opportunity to develop life skills.

©UNICEF China

Improving educational opportunities for in and out-of-school adolescents

UNICEF works with the Ministry of Education and China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) to provide life-skills education for in-school and out-of-school adolescents.

Firstly, we developed life skills modules, and are making them available online and as mobile phone apps.  

©UNICEF China

 Secondly, in communities, UNICEF is working with CAST, to provide life skills trainings for adolescents, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds and for disabled children.

Thirdly, in vocational schools, UNICEF is working with local education bureaus to provide life skills training for a better transition from school to work and adulthood.

Finally, UNICEF has just begun to support Ministry of Education to introduce life skills into the vocational education curriculum, serving millions students in pilot vocational schools nationalwide.

Making a difference

UNICEF's work to help young people realize their right to an education is producing results.  You can help in-school and out-of-school youth gain access to valuable life skills and vocational training. Take action by volunteering in a non-formal education setting or find out how you can support  UNICEF's work today.